October 8, 2026 — It takes more than talent to be a successful student-athlete. It takes determination, diligence, and discipline both in the classroom and in competition. Cobb Schools’ 2026 “Day in the Life” (DITL) series offers a glimpse into the routines, sacrifices, and hard work behind some of our student-athletes. Our first DITL subject is Pope High School senior volleyball player Lynden Harvey.

With region tournaments beginning this week and championship season arriving, it’s a good time to go cross-court. After practices, two game nights, and a full week of classes, Lynden and the Pope Greyhounds competed on a recent Saturday in the Cobb County Tournament.

Lynden has unleashed over 700 kills, rooted out more than 300 digs, and stifled opponents with more than 100 blocks in her high school career. She helped the program win a state championship in 2024, entered her senior season with three straight region championships, and earned First Team All-Region honors in 2025. One of two seniors on the team, Lynden was an obvious choice as Team Captain for the ‘Hounds.  

She graciously documented her tournament day, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a successful student-athlete in a successful Cobb Schools athletic program.

                        Day: Saturday (tournament day)
                        Location: Lynden’s family home
                        Time: 5:15 a.m.
                        “I wake up and start doing my hair and makeup for game day. I usually give myself 30-45 minutes to get ready so I don’t 
                        feel too rushed and can hit ‘snooze’ if needed. Once I’m ready, I grab my athletic bag and lunch box, fill up my water, and 
                        head out the door by 6:00.”

Location: Lynden’s car
Time: 6:30 a.m.
Lynden has a double fuel stop at QuikTrip and Chick-fil-A. Fuel for her car and herself. She’s preparing for a long day on the court and at the net, so there’s no way she’s showing up to the tournament with an empty stomach.

                        Location: North Cobb High School parking lot
                        Time: 7:00 a.m.
                        “I get to North Cobb, the host for the Cobb County Tournament, and I sit in the parking lot for a little while, listening to 
                        music and eating my breakfast. I head inside with my teammate Julianne Kopach, and we start warmups at around 7:20. 
                        We’re the only two seniors on the team, and we try to get everywhere at the same time so that we can walk in together.”

The Cobb County Tournament features teams from throughout the county, regardless of GHSA classification or district lines. It’s an opportunity for Lynden and her teammates to see how they stack up against the largest schools in the county, as well as private schools that can recruit top players. Pope begins their tournament with a match against host North Cobb.

                        Location: North Cobb High School arena
                        Time: 9:00 a.m.
                        “We finished our first match two sets to none! We play again at 10:00, and have another hour break before we play our last 
                        game in pool play, then hopefully go to gold.”

The break times are perfect for hanging out with teammates, refueling, rehydrating, and watching other matches. Lynden and the Greyhounds try to enjoy these moments of respite since they hope to continue playing well into the afternoon. 

                        Location: North Cobb High School arena
                        Time: 1:00 p.m.
                        “We won our remaining pool play matches against Allatoona (2-0) and Lassiter (2-0). Now we’ll play back-to-back for the 
                        semifinals and championship, hopefully! We’re all a little tired, but we’re good at keeping each other up with our energy!”

In the semifinals at 2:00 p.m., Lynden and the team knocked off last year’s Class 6A state champion Walton in straight sets. Their championship match opponent would be Mount Paran Christian at 3:00 p.m. With three consecutive matches, tired legs and challenged stamina could be a concern.

                        Location: North Cobb High School arena
                        Time: 4:00 p.m.
                        “We’re Cobb County Champions for the second year in a row! We didn’t drop a set all day. The championship match scores 
                        were 30-28 in the first set and 25-23 in the second set.”

Lynden’s leadership is evident on the court. Whether spiking offensive blasts or putting up defensive denials, she is a force on the court. Still, it’s her energy and encouragement that stand out in a match. She is constantly cheering on teammates and celebrating great plays from those around her. 

As the regular season races toward the postseason, Lynden has personal milestones to hit. She is approaching 750 career kills, for one. However, team accomplishments are her priority. A fourth region championship would mean a complete set for her high school career. Another state title is the ultimate goal. Her immediate objective, though, is completely understandable.

                        Location: North Cobb High School arena
                        Time: 4:30 p.m.
                        “I’m going to head home to shower, nap, and eat dinner. After that, I might go to my friend’s house to hang out.”

The day has been long, but the result was worth it. In Cobb Schools athletics, our student-athletes have plenty to celebrate. Part of that is enjoying time with friends. Lynden and her teammates have earned that as well.

h/t non-branded photos provided by Cecil Copeland